Cogent Biosciences Presents New Preclinical Data Highlighting Potential Best-in-Class Potency and Selectivity of ErbB2 and PI3K? inhibitor programs at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

On December 7, 2023 Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT), a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, reported updated preclinical data from its potent, selective and brain penetrant ErbB2 inhibitor program along with initial preclinical data from its newly disclosed H1047R mutant-selective PI3Kα inhibitor discovery program at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), taking place December 5-9, 2023 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas (Press release, Cogent Biosciences, DEC 7, 2023, View Source [SID1234638235]). The posters can be found in the ‘Posters and Publications’ portion of the Cogent website.

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"Broadening our pipeline of potential best-in-class targeted therapies remains key to our long-term strategy, and we are excited to provide an update on our selective, EGFR-sparing ErbB2 inhibitor, which features exceptional potency, half-life and oral bioavailability with potentially best-in-class brain penetrance to enable inhibition of mutations in CNS tissue," said Andrew Robbins, Cogent’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, we are pleased to present initial data on our effort to design a potent H1047R mutant-selective PI3Kα inhibitor. This program aligns with our mission of creating best-in-class targeted therapies for patients with genetically defined diseases and is complementary to our efforts focused on the development of bezuclastinib in advanced and nonadvanced systemic mastocytosis and GIST."

ErbB2 Inhibitor

Presentation ID: PO3-26-02
Title: Identification of a novel, brain penetrant, EGFR sparing, ErbB2 inhibitor with activity against oncogenic ErbB2 mutations
Session: Poster Session 3
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET)

Cogent is developing a potential best-in-class EGFR-sparing, brain-penetrant ErbB2 inhibitor that includes coverage of key mutations (YVMA, S310F, V842I, L755S) inadequately addressed by currently approved therapies. Activating mutations in the ErbB2 gene have been identified in multiple cancers and demonstrate a tumorigenic role similar to that of ErbB2 amplification.

The poster presented today shows that CGT4255 demonstrated low nM potency against ErbB2 wild-type and oncogenic ErbB2 mutations with 100-fold selectivity over wild-type-EGFR. In addition to impressive selectivity across a broad range of kinases, receptors and ion channels, CGT4255 has exceptional half-life in human whole blood and liver cytosol fractions. Dose ascending PK data in mice showed low clearance and high oral bioavailability at all doses, with best-in-class 80% brain penetrance at 100 mg/kg. Maximum inhibition of pErbB2 was observed at a 30 mg/kg PO dose in both NIH/3T3 ErbB2-YVMA and ErbB2-L755S tumor models, with complete regressions at 100 mg/kg PO BID in the NIH3T3 ErbB2-L755S TGI model and was well tolerated. These advances continue to highlight a favorable profile for optimal clinical efficacy.

PI3Kα Inhibitor

Presentation ID: PO3-26-01
Title: Preclinical in vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel, wild-type-sparing, PI3Kα H1047R mutant-selective inhibitor
Session: Poster Session 3
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET)

Cogent is developing a potential best-in-class, wild-type-sparing, PI3Kα inhibitor that provides coverage for the H1047R mutation, which affects >30,000 cancer patients each year. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is a key cell cycle regulating pathway that has an established role in tumor growth and development. PI3Kα mutations are highly prevalent in many solid tumors and are present in 36% of all breast cancer patients. The approved agents for these patients often lead to dose limitations, resulting from activity against wild-type PI3Kα.

The poster presented today highlights that CGT4824 is an allosteric inhibitor of PI3K, was well tolerated in the tumor growth inhibition efficacy models and has been profiled as lead series exemplar based on its selectivity for H1047R over WT PI3K. CGT4824 demonstrated low nM potency in H1047R mutant PI3K cell lines, differentiated dose ascending PK in mice with high bioavailability and low clearance. CGT4824 also showed >95% inhibition of pAKT in a H1047R PD model, importantly without increases in insulin or C-peptide. Its efficacy profile was superior to a clinically-relevant dose of alpelisib in the NCI H1048 mouse tumor growth inhibition model. Additional lead series analogs were also described, highlighting our more recent advances toward increasing selectivity and potency against H1047R mutants.

Circio announces completion of planned safety review and opening for full enrollment of TG01 study at Oslo University Hospital

On December 7, 2023 Circio Holding ASA (OSE: CRNA), a biotechnology company developing novel circular RNA and immunotherapy medicines, reported that mutant RAS cancer vaccine TG01 adjuvanted by QS-21 STIMULON has passed the planned safety cohort review without any concerns in the multiple myeloma trial at Oslo University Hospital (OUS) (Press release, Circio, DEC 7, 2023, View Source [SID1234638233]). The study has now opened for full enrollment of twenty patients in total.

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Ola Melin, TG program lead of Circio Holding ASA, said: "This is the first time TG01 has been given to multiple myeloma patients, and the first formal safety review of TG01 administration with QS-21 STIMULON as adjuvant. As expected, there were no safety concerns reported, and we are very pleased that the study can now continue as planned. Dr. Schjesvold and his team have been very efficient to achieve this milestone rapidly, and we expect that the study will be fully enrolled during 2024."

In this phase 1 clinical trial, TG01 is being tested as a monotherapy in multiple myeloma in a clinical collaboration between OUS and Circio. The study is led by multiple myeloma expert Dr. Fredrik Schjesvold with OUS as the study sponsor. Circio provides TG01 drug supply, scientific support and a financial contribution.

Cidara Therapeutics Presents New Promising Preclincal Data on Novel Dual-Acting Drug-Fc Conjugates at ESMO Immuno-Oncology Annual Congress

On December 7, 2023 Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDTX), a biotechnology company using its proprietary Cloudbreak platform to develop drug-Fc conjugate (DFC) immunotherapies designed to save lives and improve the standard of care for patients facing serious diseases, reported the presentation of new preclinical data on its novel, multi-specific CD73/PD-1 targeting drug-Fc conjugate (DFC) candidate at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Immuno-Oncology (IO) Annual Congress (Press release, Cidara Therapeutics, DEC 7, 2023, View Source [SID1234638232]). Cidara also presented new preclinical data on CBO421, its first-in-class CD73-targeting DFC. The conference is taking place December 6-8, 2023, virtually and in-person in Geneva, Switzerland.

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"We are thrilled to be presenting promising preclinical data on our novel multi-specific DFC in colorectal cancer for the first time at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper)-IO this year," said Jeffrey Stein, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Cidara. "Dual inhibition of both CD73 and PD-1 checkpoint pathways with a single DFC contributed to significant tumor growth reduction, highlighting the potential clinical benefits of this first-in-class multi-specific inhibitor derived from our Cloudbreak platform."

Presentation details are summarized below:

Title: Discovery of a Novel, Dual CD73 & PD-1 Targeting Multi-specific Drug Fc-Conjugate (DFC) for the Treatment of Cancer
Presenter: James Levin, Ph.D., Cidara Therapeutics
Date and Time: Thursday, December 7, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM CET
Key highlights:

CD73/PD-1 DFC is a potent inhibitor of hCD73 and hPD-1
DFC reduced tumor growth by 56% at 1mg/kg and >70% at 3mg/kg doses
DFC demonstrated superior activity to a pembrolizumab biosimilar antibody and a matched CD73 DFC at 1/3 the dose of the respective monotherapies
Title: Discovery of CBO421, a First-in-Class Drug Fc-Conjugate (DFC), Targeting CD73 in Cancer
Presenter: Simon Döhrmann, Ph.D., Cidara Therapeutics
Date and Time: Thursday, December 7, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM CET
Key highlights:

CBO421 is a potent, AMP-competitive inhibitor of CD73 that demonstrates a differentiated in vitro activity profile across several assays compared with small molecule and antibody inhibitors of CD73 in clinical development
The in vitro potency, multiple mechanisms of action, and favorable pharmacokinetics profile of CBO421 translated to antitumor efficacy in monotherapy and in combination with PD-1 therapy
Cidara is currently advancing its dual CD73/PD-1 inhibitor DFC and CBO421 in preclinical studies. The company plans to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in mid-2024 for CBO421.

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Phase 3 CheckMate -8HW Trial Evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) Compared to Chemotherapy in Microsatellite Instability–High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Meets Primary…

ON December 7, 2023 Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) reported the Phase 3 CheckMate -8HW trial evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) compared to investigator’s choice of chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) met the dual primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) at a pre-specified interim analysis (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, DEC 7, 2023, View Source;8HW-Trial-Evaluating-Opdivo-nivolumab-Plus-Yervoy-ipilimumab-Compared-to-Chemotherapy-in-Microsatellite-InstabilityHigh-or-Mismatch-Repair-Deficient-Metastatic-Colorectal-Cancer-Meets-Primary/default.aspx [SID1234638231]).

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The dual immunotherapy combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared to chemotherapy. The safety profile for the combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy remained consistent with previously reported data and was manageable with established protocols, with no new safety signals identified.

"The benefits of Opdivo plus Yervoy in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC were established previously in CheckMate -142, in which the dual immunotherapy combination demonstrated strong and durable anti-tumor activity among patients who had progressed after prior fluoropyrimidine-based combination chemotherapy," said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, global program lead, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. "Now, with these positive results from CheckMate -8HW, we have randomized data showing Opdivo plus Yervoy significantly improved PFS in the first line setting for patients with MSI-H/dMMR mCRC. These results further support the benefits of dual PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibition, and demonstrate our continued commitment to pursue combination strategies that may help improve outcomes for patients with high unmet need."

CheckMate -8HW is a Phase 3 randomized, open-label trial evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to either Opdivo alone or investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in patients with MSI-H or dMMR mCRC. The dual primary endpoints of the trial are PFS per BICR for Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in the first line setting and PFS per BICR for Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone across all lines of therapy. The study is ongoing to assess the other dual primary endpoint of PFS in patients receiving Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone, as well as secondary endpoints.

The company will complete a full evaluation of the available CheckMate -8HW data and work with investigators to share the results with the scientific community at an upcoming medical conference, as well as discuss with health authorities.

Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -8HW clinical trial.

About CheckMate -8HW

CheckMate -8HW is a Phase 3 randomized, open-label trial evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone or investigator’s choice chemotherapy (mFOLFOX-6 or FOLFIRI with or without bevacizumab or cetuximab) in patients with microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Approximately 830 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo monotherapy (Opdivo 240 mg Q2W for six doses, followed by Opdivo 480 mg Q4W), Opdivo plus Yervoy (Opdivo 240 mg plus Yervoy 1 mg/kg Q3W for four doses, followed by Opdivo 480 mg Q4W), or investigator’s choice of chemotherapy. The dual primary endpoints of the trial are progression-free survival (PFS) per blinded independent central review (BICR) for Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in the first line setting and PFS per BICR for Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone across all lines of therapy. The trial also includes several secondary safety and efficacy endpoints, including overall survival (OS).

The study is ongoing to assess the second dual primary endpoint of PFS in patients receiving Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone across all lines of therapy, as well as secondary endpoints.

About dMMR or MSI-H Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is cancer that develops in the colon or the rectum, which are part of the body’s digestive or gastrointestinal system. CRC is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. In 2020, it is estimated that there were approximately 1,931,000 new cases of the disease; it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women combined.

Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) occurs when the proteins that repair mismatch errors in DNA replication are missing or non-functional, leading to microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors. Approximately 5-7% of metastatic CRC patients have dMMR or MSI-H tumors; they are less likely to benefit from conventional chemotherapy and typically have a poor prognosis.

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Additional $3 Billion Share Repurchase Authorization

On December 7, 2023 Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) reported that on December 6, 2023, its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $3 billion of the company’s common stock under the company’s multi-year share repurchase program (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, DEC 7, 2023, View Source [SID1234638230]).

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With this increase, the company’s total outstanding share repurchase authorization is approximately $5 billion. The program enables management to execute repurchases at its discretion.

The timing and amount of any share repurchases under the authorization will be determined at a future date by management at its discretion and based on market conditions and other considerations. Share repurchases under the authorizations may be made through a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchase transactions, or any combination of such methods. The program does not obligate Bristol Myers Squibb to acquire any particular amount of its common stock, and the repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the company’s discretion.